Abstract

Consumer law has not attracted the same level of analysis as competitionlaw. Given the increasing recognition and importance of consumer law, andits separation from what once was called commercial or mercantile law, it isappropriate that analysis continue on the framework for consumer research,its connection to competition law and the values that underlie legislativereform proposals. It will be shown that the transdisciplinary nature ofconsumer law presents particular difficulties in developing an appropriatemodel. At an embryonic stage, a proposal is outlined which seeks to bringtogether the disparate strands and ensure that future reform work can bejudged against objective criteria. It is hoped that this will lead to futuredevelopment with an increasing number of variables placed into theresearch equation. The conclusion will be made that ultimately the decisionis about whether to intervene (perhaps described as hard paternalism) orsimply to empower the consumer (soft paternalism).